Des Moines Thanksgiving: Free Meals For Those In Need

As families prepare for what might be their biggest meal of the year, a number of church and community groups are gearing up to serve Thanksgiving meals on a massive scale. People without access to a Thanksgiving meal will find four Des Moines locations serving at no cost on Thursday. All are hosting dine-in meals and some can provide delivery to those in need. Here's where to go:

Southgate Masonic Lodge No. 657, 1111 Randolph St., has provided meals at Thanksgiving for 19 years. More than 500 were served in 2015 and that doubled — in addition to serving 150 meals to the YMCA Supportive Housing Center. This year, serving takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the lodge. For more details or to help serve meals, email Josh Williams at jw200058@yahoo.com.

Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner, served at Chuck's Restaurant, 3610 Sixth Ave. — Meals available to anyone in need will be served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is run completely by volunteers and donations. To volunteer call Mickey Ryan at 515-720-3378. For dinner reservations (pick up or home delivery) call Karla Iverson at 515-381-9175. Monetary donations may be sent to Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner Inc., P.O. Box 17023, Des Moines, IA 50317.

Hope Cafe at Bethel Mission, 1310 Sixth Ave.: Hope Ministries will serve from noon to 1:30 p.m. Food donations will also be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at Bethel Mission. Items needed are ready-to-serve dinner rolls, cookies in baggies of two, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, #10 (coffee-can size) canned green beans or mixed vegetables, large-size bottles of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. (Earlier reservations were required for delivery of meals.)

Eastside Cluster of Churches serving at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3300 Easton Blvd. — Serving from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reserve dinners by calling 515-360-6861. Limit of six per address.

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